Provides a controversial look at the positive things that can be learned from video games. This book looks at major specific cognitive activities such as: how individuals develop a sense of identity; how one grasps meaning; how one evaluates and follows a command; how one picks a role model; and, how one perceives the world.

Introduction: 36 Ways to Learn a Video Game Semiotic Domains: Is Playing Video Games a 'Waste of Time'? Learning and Identity: What Does It Mean to Be a Half-Elf? Situated Meaning and Learning: What Should You Do after You Have Destroyed the Global Conspiracy? Telling and Doing: Why Doesn't Lara Croft Obey Prof. Von Croy? Cultural Models: Do You Want to be the Blue Sonic or the Dark Sonic? The Social Mind: How Do You Get Your Corpse Back after You've Died? Conclusion: Duped or Not? Appendix: The 36 Learning Principles

'What Video Games Have to Teach us About Learning and Literacy is an important volume in a field that is currently growing significantly. - Ben Williamson, NESTA Futurelab '...an astoundingly insightful manifesto on teaching and learning...' - Michael Hoechsmann, McGill Journal of Education '[Gee is] a serious scholar who is taking a lead in an emerging field.' - Scott Carlson, Chronicle of Higher Education '[Gee is] one of the worlds leading educational experts.' - The Observer 'These games succeed because, according to Gee, they gradually present information that is actually needed to perform deeds.' - Norman A. Lockman, USA Today 'Gee astutely points out that for video game makers, unlike schools, failing to engage children is not an option.' - Terrence Hackett, Chicago Tribune 'Gee...says the most challenging games prod players to push the boundaries of their skills and to adapt...' - Shannon Mullen, Asbury Park Press '...'good' computer games...use critical learning principles to quickly teach kids to play extremely complex virtual reality games.' - Norman Lockman, Jackson Clarion-Ledger 'Rather than be reined in, today's successful game designers should be recognized as modern masters of learning theory...' - Mike Snider, Cincinnati Enquirer 'Am I a bad parent for letting [my child] play video games at 4? Not at all, according to Gee.' - Jim Louderback, USA Weekend Magazine '...Gee suggests that...schools...are 'in the cognitive-science dark ages.' - Jeffery Kurz, Meriden-Wallingford Record-Journal